Early Intervention for Eating Disorders in British Columbia: Co-Development of a Research Strategy
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Year 2024
- Principal investigator Jennifer Coelho
- Co-lead(s) Kim Williams, BC Children's Hospital
- Host institution University of British Columbia
- Research location BC Children's Hospital Research Institute
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Team members
- Sharon Hou, University of British Columbia
- Kim Williams, BC Children's Hospital
- Skye Barbic, Foundry BC
- Gina Dimitropolous, University of Calgary
- Josie Geller, University of British Columbia
- Seena Grewal, BC Children's Hospital
- Rachel Johnson, BC Children's Hospital
- Lorelei Johnson, South Vancouver Island Eating Disorders Program
- PeiYoong Lam, University of British Columbia
- Jeenifer Letham, South Vancouver Island Eating Disorders Program
- Steve Mathias, Foundry BC
- Nicole Obeid, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
- Karen Tee, Foundry BC
- Audrey Tung, University of British Columbia
- Shannon Zaitsoff, Simon Fraser University
A surge in eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a workforce crisis. Our team’s research shows that one-third of Canadian eating disorder clinicians are considering leaving their job. Currently, eating disorder services are primarily based in limited specialized programs. However, an innovative early intervention model in general mental health settings is being developed for the Canadian context. In this model, integrated youth services play a core role in rapid response. This capacity building model has significant promise, yet it is unknown how to best support clinicians working with this model.
The project will bring together researchers and research users for a full-day interactive event, to co-develop a research strategy for eating disorder early intervention in BC. The research agenda will focus on two key questions: (i) what are the barriers and facilitators to implementation of early intervention across BC service settings; and (ii) how can we best evaluate early intervention outcomes, and the impact of this service model on clinicians who provide care for eating disorders.
The project outcomes will be integrated into a pan-Canadian strategy for eating disorders early intervention research.